I would like to check on a few things that we discussed, but never decided on.
1 - has anyone found a documented case length that works best on the Model 52? Minimum case length = 1.145" . I trimmed to 1.138" - 1.140" .
2 - I've recently found out that some cases for 38 Special use "thicker" brass, and the thinner brass is better for the lead wadcutter bullets we use. I checked, and yes, some other cases I was given are heavier and thicker. I have no plans to use them - the thinner ones seem to be recommended. I bought a couple thousand military once fired 38 Spl cases at a gun show in 1982. I trimmed to the above dimension and got at least 15 reloads out of a military case. When I reloaded commercial cases, I could get only 3 reloads before the case split in the middle of the case.
3 - Does it matter if the case has one or two "cannelures" on it? Military brass only had one cannelure. I didn't use commercial brass for my M52.
4 - Given a choice of brands, for cases, are some better than others, and if so, which ones are "best"? Remington and Federal? Both brands split after 3 reloads for me. I was using a Lyman double ended wadcutter mold for my cast bullets.
I'm away right now, but will be getting back into the reloading in about three weeks.
I'm also wondering about something I've been reading. Several people here say the cases land at their feet, or maybe a foot or two away at most. If cases land much further than that, does this mean I need a softer recoil spring? I've been using the (old) standard spring, but bought the Wolff spring pack that has standard, heavier, and lighter.
(I have two 52's, one that is untouched, and the other that I've been working on for ages, with other people before me. Will be interesting to compare them to each other.)
